by Averil Bernard Click here to subscribe.
Whether we know it or not, we’ve all been exposed to heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium from our food, water, airborne pollutants, beauty products, medicines, vaccines, dental fillings, household items, keys and toys. The truth is, we’re exposed to heavy metals daily and they gradually accumulate from a variety of sources. It’s like filling a glass by adding just one drop of water every day. It may take a long time but the glass will eventually get filled.
Lead Paint Ban
While attending Real Estate school in New Jersey, I learned of the dangers that lurked beneath the fresh coat of paint on the windows in homes built before 1978. Lead-based paints weren’t banned for use in housing until 1978 so all houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), “Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the most hazardous sources of lead for U.S. children”. Imagine my surprise when I later learned from a study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that some children’s vitamins and even prenatal vitamins contain lead. How ironic that lead is banned in paints but actually put into food items for consumption by pregnant women and children.
Health Risks
It goes without saying that a buildup of heavy metal in our bodies is harmful and can even be deadly. According to the FDA there are specific levels that the body can tolerate but beyond these levels, health risks include cancers, autism, kidney failure, brain fog, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Heavy Metal Tests
There are several lead test kits available online but I’m not sure about the integrity of those tests. If you’re curious or you think you may have been exposed to heavy metals, ask your doctor which test is best for you. Quest Diagnostics, a popular lab had test codes listed on their website for their Heavy Metal Blood Panel which tests for Arsenic, Lead and Mercury. Test Code – 7655, CPT Code(s) – 82175, 83655, 83825. Once you have the results, the big task becomes, determining how to even begin the detox process.
Detox
I’ve been curious about the topic for a while and have been doing quite a bit of research. I discovered that foods including some herbs and root vegetables can actually help with the process.
Here is a list of some of the foods that aid in the removal of heavy metals from the body:
- Cilantro and it’s ‘cousin’ Culantro
- Rice Brand and other foods containing alpha lipoic acid
- Chlorella
- Milk thistle
- Ginger
- Broccoli and other sulfur-rich foods
I’m supposing that it shouldn’t be too difficult to begin incorporating a few of these into your diet. For over a year now my family, including my parents, in-laws and siblings have been taking Zeal For Life, a real food supplement that contains Rice Brand, Chlorella, Milk Thistle and Broccoli. I was super happy to know that we had been detoxing daily for over a year. Also, I make a green seasoning mix for daily cooking and that includes Cilantro, Culantro and ginger. I was super happy to know that we had been detoxing daily for over a year.
I write the posts in this blog strictly from information I’ve learned and experiences I’ve had, and I share them because I believe that they would be helpful to others. When you find or learn about something that could positively impact the lives of countless people, it would be totally selfish to keep silent.
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For informational purposes only. Not intended as medical advice.